Historical spaces have an unexplainable magic to them, and yet by their definition (read: old), most are in danger of coming down. Luckily, architects and designers around the world are engaging in creative, modern renovations of these spaces and breathing new life into them while retaining the charm that made them worth saving in the first place.

A contemporized top floor of a pharmacy in Brugge, Belgium (pictured above) fits unassumingly into the city's historic streetscape (below).

Traditional structures don't always fit the footprints we've grown accustomed to in the present day. Buildings are narrow and tightly packed, as in this renovated warehouse in Tribeca, New York.

To combat the lack of open floor or garden space, the Dean-Wolf Architects incorporated voids of empty airspace across the three floors of the townhouse.

Tokyo is notorious for tightly squeezed spaces. Like the Tribeca space, this home by Keiji Ashizawa (pictured below) utilizes open airspace to compensate for limited floorspace.

In Adelaide, Australia, the street-facing side of this Victorian home honors the historical provenance of the neighborhood.

The rear of the house however opens up in modern splendor. Wide glass windows are thrown open and versatile outdoor chairs can be used inside or out to complement a casual modern lifestyle that's decidedly less-than-Victorian.

With modern renovations, the sky's the limit on what lighting fixtures and furnishings you can bring into the home. The blend of historic and contemporary influences is perfect for an eclectic mix.

Dutch architects Bas ten Brinke and Carina Nilsson designed this modern home with edge, literally. We approve of this Nordic-style villa's clean lines and beautiful landscape, giving nod to Nordic customs and architecture traditions.

The entire home takes full advantage of the beautiful views with entire walls made up of windows. Not only is it great for taking in the pretty scenery, but the home feels very open and spacious. In the top photo you can see the ceiling even gets higher toward the main living room.

Jessie Ware's new album Devotion came out about a month ago and is being recognized as some of today's best new music. A little bit Sade, a little bit Whitney Houston, and 100% original. I first heard her music during a set at the Boiler Room a couple year's ago and thought to myself...wow this girl's gonna be big! You hear her music once and it sinks into you and speaks to you. It's soft and emotional with lots of soul!

Jessie Ware's lyrics are like melodic conversations and deep insights into life. You could spend hours listening to her music, sitting in a chic dining room, sipping tea, and feeling a connection with your company. Just like Ware's music is timeless and eclectic, mixing classic lighting and decor accents with modern dining room furniture will give you this feeling in any space.

Jessie Ware's music is perfect for the small, intimate occasion as well as the dance floor. It's these classic elements in music, similar to those of design, that will keep Jessie Ware around for a lifetime!

The Byblos Art Hotel in Verona, Italy is both a contemporary art museum as well as a 5-star hotel. Traditional Italian villa on the outside and over-the-top modern madness on the inside. Stepping inside is sure to be a wake-up for your senses. The hotel is filled with modern works from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Anish Kapoor, Beatriz Millar, Damien Hirst, and Cindy Sherman. This contrast of modern art and 18th century architecture creates a jaw dropping statement that will have you mesmerized!

The 18th century building, Villa Amista, is the work of architect Ignazio Pellegrini while the inventive interiors were created by Allessandro Mendini. Let's take a look inside the minds of these magical designers.

The presidential suite is a cheerful place, combining sculptural mid-century modern chairs in bold yellow that contrast with the white surroundings. Perfect for any modern space, transparent acrylic chairs glow like light sculptures when the sun hits them.

How happy would you be to wake up in this room?! The vibrant colors and fabrics modernize the ornate furniture. Ultra modern floor lamps and table lamps can add even more fun to an already colorful space.

This room (above) is said to be like entering into the designer's imagination. Their mind feels organized and vibrant to me.

The Junior Suite (above) is filled with furniture from Mendini, Ron Arad, and Philippe Starck. Colorful modern wall sconces make a statement in any modern space, even in a room as dramatic as this one!